You’ve mapped your route, built the perfect playlist, and packed snacks for the journey. There’s just one final decision before you hit the road:
Do you take your own car—or rent one?
For shorter trips, the answer is easy. But once your drive starts creeping past 1,000 miles, the decision becomes less obvious—and a lot more interesting.
The hidden cost of every mile
Most drivers think about gas when planning a road trip. But every mile you add also affects your vehicle in ways you may not notice right away.
Mileage contributes to:
- Lower resale or trade-in value
- Tire wear
- Maintenance timing, like oil changes
In fact, the Internal Revenue Service estimates the cost of operating a vehicle at about 72.5 cents per mile for 2026, based on national averages for expenses like fuel, maintenance, and depreciation. While you’re not paying that amount out of pocket each mile, it reflects the real, long-term cost of driving your own vehicle.
So, for example, a 1,200-mile road trip—roughly a drive from Delaware to the Carolinas and back—can translate into about $870 in total vehicle impact when all factors are considered. While it’s not something you may feel immediately, it can affect your vehicle’s value and lifespan.
Why long trips hit differently
Adding a large number of miles in a short period can have a bigger impact than you might expect.
If you typically drive about 12,000 miles per year, for example, a 1,200-mile vacation adds roughly 10 percent to your annual driving in just a few days.
That especially matters if you:
- lease your vehicle,
- plan to sell or trade it in within a few years, or
- want to extend the life of an older car.
There’s also the practical side: If your vehicle runs into trouble during the trip, you’re dealing with that disruption both on the road and when you return home.
When renting makes sense
Now consider the alternative: Rather than putting 1,200 miles on your own car, you rent one for the journey, spending that time in a roomier vehicle, a newer model, or something entirely different you’ve been eager to experience.
More than just a cost decision
Renting is about choosing the right vehicle for the trip and making the experience work better for you. Depending on your trip, you might choose:
- a larger vehicle for family or group travel,
- a more fuel-efficient option for long highway driving, or
- a newer vehicle with updated safety and comfort features.
At the end of the trip, you simply return the vehicle, having traveled in something well‑suited to the journey, without any additional use from your everyday car.
AAA member benefits with Hertz
For AAA members, renting can be even more appealing through Hertz with exclusive benefits.
AAA members may have access to:
- Exclusive AAA discounts on rentals
- Free unlimited miles at select locations
- 10% off prepaid fuel
- An additional driver at no extra cost
- No young driver fee for eligible family members
- Free use of a child safety seat
- A free rental day after their first completed rental as a Gold+ member
If you’re traveling with a college-age driver, you can share time behind the wheel without paying additional fees, making long stretches of highway easier for everyone.
So, what’s the right choice?
For shorter trips, driving your own car is likely the simplest and most convenient option—if your car is reliable on the road and spacious enough to accommodate your travel companions.
But for longer journeys—especially those over 1,000 miles—renting can be a smart alternative. It helps protect your primary vehicle, offers flexibility, and can be surprisingly wallet-friendly when you consider the hidden costs of driving your own car.
For AAA members, options through Hertz can make that decision even easier, combining value, convenience, and peace of mind.
After all, a great road trip isn’t just about the destination—it’s also about making the smartest choice for the journey itself.